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NHS vouchers for children’s glasses
Following the glasses test (often using dilating eye drops); if your child needs glasses, you will be given a white form which is the glasses prescription voucher (HESP form).
The voucher is given to children under 16 and entitles the parent/guardian to help towards the cost of purchasing the glasses. The amount varies according to the prescription strength. Your optician (optometrist) will be able to tell you the exact amount that you are entitled to. If you choose glasses which exceed the voucher amount, then you pay the difference in cost yourself.
Children are only entitled to one voucher per year; an extra voucher may be given dependent on the strength of the glasses.
What to do with the voucher
The voucher may be taken to any registered optician/optometrist who will then make up the glasses.
The optician/optometrist should also advise on the type of frame best suited to your child’s face shape and size, so please take your child with you when ordering and collecting glasses to allow them to check the fit properly.
Once you have the glasses, your child should wear them all the time unless otherwise advised by the Orthoptist, eye doctor or hospital optometrist.
The voucher must be used within 6 months of issue.
General ‘tips’ when buying children’s glasses
- Shop around - prices of frames vary considerably, therefore shopping around is advisable. Bear in mind that children’s glasses can often get broken, so a local optician / optometrist may be more convenient for repairs and expensive frames may not be advisable!
- Check the final amount you will have to pay before ordering the glasses as you should be expecting to cover any extra costs during the year to replace arms / lenses especially if expensive frames were chosen.
- Infants’ glasses - many special adaptations are available (e.g. curly earpieces, special nose pads) to help in achieving a comfortable fit. Ask your optician about these.
Difficulties once the glasses are obtained
- Broken or lost glasses
- Return to the optician / optometrist, who supplied the original pair, may be able to repair or replace the glasses free of charge. Opticians / optometrists do not need another voucher from the hospital to do this.
- If you have any difficulty in obtaining repairs or replacement pairs of glasses, please contact the Orthoptic Department or ask the Optometrist to do so on your behalf.
- Poorly fitting / loose glasses.
- If your child’s glasses are too tight or too loose, they may be reluctant to wear them. Return to the optician / optometrist who supplied them who should adjust them to fit comfortably again.
- With very young or more active older children, adjustments are often necessary very frequently. Don’t be embarrassed at asking the optician to adjust glasses often; they are very used to it! It is very important that your child is looking through the centre of the lenses to obtain the full effect of the prescription.
- Extra / spare pairs of glasses
- Each child is entitled to one voucher per year. However, you may buy extra pairs of the same prescription and this includes sunglasses.
- Future glasses tests
- While your child is under the care of the eye department at Frimley Health Trust, we will provide all tests necessary. So, it is not necessary to take your child to your own optician for glasses tests or any other eye specialist.
Generally, the test for glasses prescription is carried out once per year unless the eye doctor, orthoptist or hospital optometrist feel it necessary to do it more frequently.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the orthoptic team by calling and leaving a message on 0300 613 4253.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Ophthalmology service.
About this information
Service:
Ophthalmology
Reference:
QQ/019
Approval date:
2 August 2024
Review date:
1 July 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.